Explosion kills welding plant owner

A welding plant owner died while repairing a diesel fuel tank this morning in his business, according to the county fire marshal.

Alicia Banks

KINGS MOUNTAIN — The longtime owner of a welding company died Monday as the result of a work-related explosion that officials have labeled an accident.

Gerald Randall Sheppard, 69, was attempting to repair a client’s diesel fuel tank when the explosion occurred inside the business he owned, Sheppard Welding Plant.

The client had brought him the tank that morning. Cleveland County Deputy Fire Marshal Perry Davis said a cap on the tank, which alleviates pressure built inside, wasn’t taken off as Sheppard worked to fix the tank.

The client was outside the business waiting for Sheppard to finish when the explosion rocked the inside of the plant.

“The client heard the explosion and called for help,” Davis said. “It was an accidental death.”

Firefighters from Bethlehem, Grover and Oak Grove volunteer fire departments arrived to the scene about 10:23 a.m. The explosion caused a small fire that firefighters quickly extinguished.

Davis didn’t elaborate on what exactly killed Sheppard, but said the investigation on his end was complete.

Sheppard lived on Huntseat Drive off Bethlehem Church Road in the Kings Mountain area, according to one of his daughters.

Family and friends embraced one another at the scene of the workplace fatality.